47. Savannah
forty-seven
Savannah
Nico was right. I had nothing to worry about.
As soon as I walked through the door, Cat welcomed me with open arms. She was over the moon ecstatic for me and Nico. As were his Aunt Rose and his cousins, Sofia, Valentina, and Isabella.
It’s incredible how much all the women in Nico’s life look alike and like to give him hell. But I need to up my Italian lessons if I want a chance at keeping up with the conversation.
As requested by his mother, Nico invited his teammates to join us for dinner.
Lance said he would stop by after some business he needed to take care of, but Blake, Reed, Heath, and his wife Grace, were all too eager to join us for dinner.
Aside from Cameron, none of the other guys had yet to be invited to eat at Belladonna.
I took a chance and invited my parents, but my mother refused to join us. I knew she wouldn’t accept, but I wanted to be the bigger person and extend the olive branch anyway.
It was my last attempt. I’ll be waiting until she reaches out. Until then, I’m good with how things are. Just because I don’t have a relationship with my mother doesn’t mean I’m going to lose the rest of my family.
Dad was amazing when we chatted on the phone.
He promised to make it up to me soon and was happy to hear everything worked out for me and Nico.
He’s excited to meet my boyfriend. He didn’t bring up my mother, for which I was grateful.
I’m not sure what’s going on with my parents, but something tells me their perfect marriage might not be as perfect as it appears.
Charlotte declined, having already spent time away from her husband and son, but she reassured me she’s happy for me and excited for me and Nico to visit her soon. I think hearing Nico apologize was something she needed to leave all the hurt feelings in the past.
And Denver? As soon as my big brother learned it wasn’t Nico in the video, he took off to some exotic island with a promise to come and visit soon so we could hit up a game together.
While my relationship with my mother is strained, having the support of my dad, sister and brother means the world to me.
As do the people currently sitting around the table in Nico’s family restaurant.
I’ve had an amazing dinner, getting to know Nico’s family and his friends. Seeing all the love and friendship in this room has made me realize that the people you choose to be in your life can end up being your family too.
Everyone at the table erupts in laughter, pulling me from my thoughts, as Cam recounts being chased naked by an emu while on vacation with Talia over the holidays.
“Serves you right for trying to defile my sister,” Nico grumbles, making us all laugh again. I pat his thigh under the table, and he places his hand over mine. Looking up, I find him watching me, his gray eyes shining with happiness. “Are you having a good time?”
“The best,” I answer.
Nico flashes me a smoldering smile and gives me a chaste kiss on the lips, the cheek, and the sensitive spot behind my ear. Then he purrs, “The best will be later when you fuck my face and suck my cock at the same time.”
His filthy mouth ruins my panties and makes my cheeks heat.
“Aww, look at you two. You’re so cute together,” Talia coos.
Nico and I glance over to find her and everyone else at the table staring at us.
“I want credit for this, big brother.” She waggles her finger between us with a grin.
“I totally played matchmaker and put the perfect woman in the apartment next door for you.”
“That you did, baby sis.”
I think back to all the times Talia told me what a good man her brother was, despite his bad boy reputation. “You’re right, Talia. Nico’s not such a bad catch after all.”
“Told you so.” She winks at me and takes a sip of her water.
“I still think it’s weird to see Romero being all sweet to a chick. No offense, Doc,” Reed says.
I bark a laugh while Nico growls. “None taken.”
Cam smacks his friend upside the head. “Time and place, bro.”
“I said no offense,” Reed grumbles and rubs his head.
“I agree with Lia.” Cat wipes a tear from under her eye and smiles. “I can’t believe both my babies are in love. This is the best day ever. I’m going to go get dessert from the kitchen to celebrate.”
“I’ll help,” Rose rises from the table to help her sister as Nico’s cousins clear the table like a well-oiled machine.
“Let me help you with that.” Blake reaches for the stack of plates Sofia’s holding, and she slaps his hands away.
“I’ll let you help as long as you know you have zero chance of getting into my pants.”
Blake bursts out laughing. “Girlie, I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. I was there when Romero punched Miller in the face. No woman is worth that kind of trouble.”
We all laugh, but Cam shrugs. “That’s where you’re wrong, Jensen,” Cam says, then grips Talia around the waist, places her on his lap, and kisses her.
Nico groans. “Don’t make me punch you again.”
The two of them break apart with a laugh. “You can punch me all you want. Talia is worth it. Times a million.”
“That takes the fun away,” Nico grumbles.
“I think having Savannah around is making Romero soft.” Heath grins as he lifts his beer and takes a swig. “I kind of like it.”
“You are anything but soft, baseball boy,” I whisper into Nico’s ear, making him growl. I slide my hand up his thigh, letting the back of my hand graze his cock as payback.
“Be careful, gattina. Or dinner is going to be over real soon.” Nico threads his fingers with mine and moves my hand away as he adjusts his seat.
I can’t help smirking.
“Nico’s a big teddy bear, just like my Heathcliff.” Grace leans over and kisses Heath on the cheek.
“Just for you, Gracie girl.” He wraps his arm around her, and it’s just the sweetest thing. You can see how much they love each other.
Reed chokes on his beer and sputters. “Wait! Is that your real name?”
Heath narrows his eyes at Reed. “Yes, and she’s the only person who gets to call me that, so watch your fucking mouth.”
Reed barks a laugh. “Unreal. We have a Heathcliff.” Heath throws a napkin at his head, making us all laugh. “And a Lancelot. You can’t make that stuff up.”
Blake scratches his head and looks around the table. “Umm, where is Lance, by the way?”
Nico shrugs. “Don’t know. Said he had some business to take care of and would see us all later.”
“Is it just me, or has he been weird lately?” Blake asks.
“No weirder than you, douche-dick,” Reed teases.
I rest my head on Nico’s shoulder and listen to the guys go back and forth. Cat returns with dessert, and we all dig in.
The door to the restaurant jingles, grabbing our attention. The room falls silent as Lance walks in, holding hands with a gorgeous blonde.
The woman gives us a shy wave. “Hey, guys.”
All five men at the table share a knowing look, and I feel like I’m missing something.
“Nice to see you, Gwen.” Nico speaks first, breaking the awkward silence. “Come in, you two. Grab a seat. We still have plenty of food.”
Lance clears his throat. “Actually, I was hoping you guys might be interested in taking a little road trip with us.”
“Where are we going?” Cam asks.
“Vegas.” Lance lifts Gwen’s hand into the air, giving the room a glimpse at the huge rock on her ring finger. “We’re getting married.”
Nico turns to me and asks, “Want to go to Vegas, baby?”
“I’ve never been to Vegas before,” I admit.
“Well, then get ready for a lot of sinning, ’cause I’m about to blow your mind.” Nico wiggles his eyebrows at me, and he pulls me out of my seat.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Cat says with a smile. “Have fun, and don’t get into too much trouble.”
My cheeks flame as Nico tilts my chin up and smiles. “Only good trouble.”
The heated look he gives me is filled with so much love. And in his gray eyes, I see everything.
Home. Love. Passion.
My person.
Whatever we decide, our future is going to be amazing because we found each other. Nothing good might come from dating a bad boy, but dating a good man comes with endless possibilities.